+++On 2007 a new protected area was declared: the "Paratge Natural de la Serra de Tramuntana". Organised visits are being offered on saturday ( Tel. 971 517 074 and 971 517 083)+++ Other protected areas are: the "Reserves marines" in Llevant, Migjorn, Badia de Palma, Illa des Toro and Malgrats+++ -Please, click on the numbers on the map!-

PARC NACIONAL DE CABRERA (Nr. 1 on the map)

►The only National Park in the Balearic Islands is located 12 kilometres from the southeast cape of Mallorca and has an area of 10,021 hectares. The group of islands was a prohibited military area until 1986. "Greenpeace" organised a protest in order to stop the military manoeuvres which took place once a year. Since then, the manoeuvres were stopped and five years later the islands were protected. There are dolphins and 200 kinds of fish around the islands. The bird life is also remarkable.

►If you want to visit the island, you must book boat tickets in advance (just 60 people a day are allowed). From the 1 April to the 30 October, there are boats from Palma (Tel. [0034] 971 71 7190), Colònia Sant Jordi (Tel. [0034] 971 649 034- More Information►) or from Porto Petro (Tel. [0034] 971 657 012). If you have your own boat, you need a permit (Tel. [0034] 971 725010). You aren´t allowed to hike across the island, you can only visit the beach, the castle and the museum. If you book in advance the National Park Office offers 4 different nature hikes. (Tel. [0034] 971 725010).

PARC NATURAL DE SA DRAGONERA(Nr. 2 on the map)

►The Nature Park was declared in 1995 , has an area of 279 hectares and is situated before the "Punta Fabioler" (the southwest cape of Mallorca). In 1982 a building company planned a resort for 2000 tourists. After major demonstrations the government canceled the project and bought the island. On the island there are many Balearic lizards and interesting birds (the eleonora´s falcon nests here in summer). More information ►

►It is possible to visit the island from 10 am to 5 pm (April to September) and from 10 am to 3 pm (from October to March). Groups of more than 10 people should book in advance (Tel. [0034] 971 180 632, 971 173700, 971 176800). They are 4 hiking routes where you can walk on your own. Since August 2004 the entry to the island costs 1 €. Children up to 13 years, people above 65 and school groups dont´t pay. On Saturdays the entry is free for everybody.

►You can take the boat "Margarita" in Sant Elm: from 1 October to 31 December and 1 February to 30 June , there are boats every hour (Mo- Sa) from 10.15 to 13.15. (only if the sea is calm). In summer there are more services. (Price in 2005, 10 Euro. tel. [0034] 639 617545 and [0034] 696 423933). There is also the "Watertaxi" Tel. (0034) 971 100 866.

PARC NATURAL DE CALA MONDRAGÓ(Nr. 3 on the map)

►It was declared in 1992 and has an area of 765 hectares. It is situated in the southeast of Mallorca, 5 kilometres from Santanyí. Large demonstrations prevented the destruction of the unspoilt coves (a 10.000 tourist resort was planned in 1989 )

►The Nature Park was declared in November 2001 and had an area of 21.507 hectares . On January 2004 it was reduced to 1586 ha . Guided hikes are organised on Saturdays.Tel. [0034] 971 836828)

→ The government bought two huge "fincas": Albarca (1200 hectares) and S´Alqueria Vella (400 hectares). On 2004 the finca "Sa Duaia" (400 ha.) was also purchased. Some buildings have been turned into accomodation: "Refugi de s'Alzina- Albarca" (6 double rooms), "la caseta des Oguers" (10 places) and "Refugi de s´Arenalet" (18 places). Nearby there is also a camping site with 30 places. You must book well in advance: (+ Information)

→ The hiking trails start in S´Alqueria Vella (4 km from Artà, you can rech the spot by car). From here you walk to Es Verger (45 min.) and on to Albarca and the beautiful beach S´Arenalet (1 hour and 15 minutes further). From here you can walk back to S'Alqueria Vella in 2hr 30min (they are two ways: "Camí d'en Mondoi" or "S'Esquena Llarga" or in the opposite direction (East) to the cove Cala Estreta (2 hours) .→ From S´Alqueria Vella you can walk in one hour to the hermitage Ermita de Betlem and on to Betlem (45 min) and along the coast to Colònia de Sant Pere (1 hr.). There is also a trail in "Sa Duaia" (between Artà and Cala Torta) along an old water channel.

- Area until January 2004- - Area after January 2004-

PARC NATURAL DE S´ALBUFERA DE MALLORCA(Nr.5 on the map)

►The oldest nature park on the island was declared in 1988 and has an area of 1709 hectares. It is situated in the north, between Alcúdia and Can Picafort and it is home to 200 different breeds of birds . The park is open from 9 am to 5 pm (October to March) and from 9 am and 6 pm (April to September). For more information and for the guided hikes, contact tel. [0034] 971 892 250 and parc.albufera@gmail.com. + Information►

RESERVA NATURAL DE S´ALBUFERETA(Nr. 6 on the map)

►The wetland (211 ha) is located between Port de Pollença and Alcúdia (entry from the road Ma-2220, km. 65,3) and has two short walking trails (not signposted) and a some paved bicycle routes.Further information: tel. 971 892 250.

MONUMENT NATURAL DEL TORRENT DE PAREIS(Nr. 7 on the map)

►The Torrent de Pareis was protected in 2003 as a "Monument Natural" (Natural monument) : the interesting fauna and flora have to do with the isolated and unspoilt landscapes and with the microclimate (little sun, much humidity). + Information ►)

MONUMENT NATURAL DE LES FONTS UFANES(Nr. 8 on the map

►The Natural Monument (50 hectares) is an intermittent spring: from 3.000 to 100.000 liters of water per second shoot out of the ground of the forest, normally once a year. The springs are on a public property (bought by the government on june 2005) near the "Coves de Campanet" which is open when the springs "explode".

►The G.O.B. (Grup Ornitològic Balear i de defensa de la naturalesa) has been in existence since 1973. The adress is: Manuel Sanchís Guarner, 10/ 07004- Palma de Mallorca- tel. (0034) 971 498268►With some 5000 members, the campaigns of the GOB have been very important in securing the protection of some unspoilt areas such as the island Sa Dragonera (1982, now a nature park), the beach Es Trenc (1986), the cape "Punta de N´Amer", Capocorb, the cove "Cala Mondragó" (1989, now a nature park), S´Albufereta (1990, natur reserve since 2001), , the island Cabrera (1986) and many others.

►The organisation has also stopped projects which would have damaged the environment: new urban or touristic areas, golf courses, new trunk roads,... The G.O.B. also owns and manages the nature reserve of La Trapa (near Sant Elm) which was bought by popular subscription.